Rumblings xtra: Items that didn't make print edition

By: Bob Hunter

The Columbus Dispatch - March 22, 2013 08:58 AM

Maurice Clarett has joined the Tiger Rugby Olympic Development Program, according
to Rugbymag.com. The former Ohio State football star, 29, met and worked out with Tiger Rugby
director Paul Holmes Wednesday before agreeing to join the program.

“He’s ridiculous. That’s all I can say,” Holmes said. “His footwork is phenomenal. He’s nowhere
near conditioned for rugby, but that will come…The stuff he’s doing in the gym right now, he’s just
ridiculous.”

The web site said that Clarett will begin training with Tiger immediately. He joins several
Columbus-area rugby players at the ODP. Former Fordham football safety Isiejah Allen is also trying
to transition to the sport of rugby.

Former Crew defender Julius James is playing with the Carolina Red Hawks of the
second tier North American Soccer League this week. In a bid to upgrade the team’s defense, the
Crew declined the option on James’ contract and he went undrafted in the 2012 MLS re-entry
draft.

The Trinidad and Tobago native, who appeared in 43 games for the Crew over the past two seasons,
subsequently had shoulder surgery which prevented him from trying out with any Major League Soccer
clubs. But James’ bad luck with injuries apparently hasn’t ended; he left Tuesday’s exhibition game
with Pumas UNAM, a Mexican first division team, with a hamstring injury.

After visiting with the Cincinnati Bengals last week, former Buckeye return
specialist/receiver Ted Ginn Jr., agreed to a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, according
to ESPN.com. Both teams wanted him to upgrade their return game, but the Panthers seemed likely to
give him more of an opportunity as a receiver than the Bengals.

Of the five free agents who have visited the Bengals, three have signed elsewhere.
FormerOhioStaterunning back Beanie Wells visited and has yet to sign, but he has a bad knee and
there are doubts about his longevity.

Baltimore Ravens general manger and former Browns star Ozzie Newsome is being
mentioned for the Alabama athletic director’s position that opened this week when Mal Morris
stepped down, but the former Crimson Tide star denies interest in the position. Newsome has a close
relationship with Alabama coach Nick Saban and often returns to speak to the squad, but the
Baltimore Sun reported that Newsome prefers his position as architect of the reigning Super Bowl
champions..